Stem cutting mechanism for tobacco stemming machines



Oct. 11, 1932; C GQQCH JR 1,881,494

.STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO. STEMMING MACHINES Filed Dec. 19, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORZ C'Zaa lorrrq l V. GoocLr/Z ATTORNEY c. w. GOOCH, JR ,494-

Oct. 11, 1932.

STEM cu'mna MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO swmwmm MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1951 INVENTOR. CzgYczwmve 14 Gonclgfi:

Oct. 11, 1932. c, w, GQOCH, JR 1,881,494

STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO STEMMiNG MACHINES Filed Dec. 19, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 cs w M ATTORNEY Oct 11, 1932; (3, w, GOOCH, JR 1,881,494

STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 19, 193] CZaL Bo/w e VV. Gooc, r];

BY M ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 11, 1932 nrrs' rats 1 PA'rsnr rricE CLAIBORNE w; Goose, an, or LYnciIB'Une,

VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR r UNITED CIGARETTE MAGHINE COMPANY, INC., OF LYNCI-IB'UBG, 'V'IEGIHTA, A CGBPURATIGN OF VIRGTNIA STEM cn'rrInesIacnAnIsM Fen 'reneoco STEMMING MACHINES The present invention relates to an improvement in timing mechanisms of stem cutters or creasers for tobaccostemming machines.

The present invention'provides a feeler' or measurer, for measuring the length of leaves, of improved design and of an entirely 'different type which eliminates many difficulties of a practical nature experienced inthe' operation of known machines. There are further provided certain additional refinements shown in the drawings and explained in detail. p

It is an objectof the present invention to utilize thetension'in the tobacco leaves in' a device to prevent actuation of the knife driving mechanism of the stemming machine until such tension is removed from the device. The device therefore utilizes the tension of the leaves being-pulled through the machine and any loose leaves or scrap tobacco which may be carried along witha charge of the leaves, but are not gripped by the grippers, will not afiect its operation.

The invention is illustrated on the drawings in which like reference numeralsiindicate corresponding parts throughout and in which, I

Figure 1 is a side View of the leaf entry end of a stemming machine showing the principal parts, I f

Fig. 2 is a partial side view of a detail of a sprocket wheel and dial wheel,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the detail of Fig. 2, i

Fig. i is a side view of the leaf'entry end of the machine as seen from the other side from that shown in Fig. 1, I I

Fig. 5 is a front view of the feeler brush-and its mounting,

Fig. 6 is a side view cooperating segment,

Fig. 7 is a side View of the cam and its associated parts, i

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cam, the clutch and associated parts.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the hand wheel,

Fig. 10 is a side view of the ratchet wheel,

and l p Fig. 11 is 'a cross-sectional view of the of thebrush and its Ap'slication filed December 19, 1931. Serial 1J0. 582,l51.

hand and ratchet wheels of Figs. 9 and 10.

1 and 2 are the cooperating grippers which are mounted on. the u ual chains 81 and82 and which grip the butt ends of the tobacco leaves. 3 is the knife blade which is fastened to shaft 4 by suitable arms 5. This shaft 4 revolves intermittently in ri'gidbearings (not shown) and is driven by a'sprocket wheel 'Z-thrOugh an adjustable coupling com posed of'a dial wheel 8, Figs. 2 and 3, sl'i'tb ably mounted on shaft 4 andkey'ed thereto by key 9. Dial wheel 8 meshes with its coupling 10 which is fastened to sprocket 7 and is normally held iii-engagement therewith by spring 11 and washer 12.

The knife blade 3 cuts the tobacco stems against a' oller 13 both of which have the same length and extend across the machine.

Chain 14 connects sprocket wheels 7 and 15, the latter being fastened-to a cam 16, F 8, which is free to turn on shaft 17. In'this construction the sprocket 'wheel 15 is'keyed to cam 16 by a key 18 and cam 16' is provided with a bushing 19. v A stud20 is fastened cam 16, Figs)? and 8, and carries a pawl 21 which by meansof a spring 23 is forced to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel 22 when the knife is to be set in motion. When the pawl 21 and the ratchet wheel 22 are not engaged the pawl is held by a hook at pivoted on the stud 25. In the position shown in 7, the roller 26 mounted on the stud fastened in the hook 2a is depressed in the depression 28 of cam 16 but when the hook is lifted, by a mechanism to be described, pawl 21 is forced down by its spring 23"a'nd thereby engages the ratchet 22 whichfruixs' continuously, in the direction of the arrow. This starts the knife drive in motion and rollor 26 nd hook are held up by the circular part of cam 16 until one complete revolution thereof, whereupon the roller 2-6 again drops into the depression28 and the hook 2% catches and disen ages the pawl 21 from the ratchet 22, thereby stopping the motion of'th'e knife.

The earlier or later release of pawl 21 by hook 24 will cause the pawl 21 to engage different teeth of ratchet wheel 22' and thereby time the knife motion earlier or later relato the face of the tive to the grippers 1 and 2. The lifting of the hook 24, Fig. 1, is controlled by a segment 29 secured to the shaft 30 which is pivoted in suitable bearings, not shown. Normally the segment 29 is maintained in pulled back position against a stop 33, Fig. 4, by a spring 31 and arm 32. The segment 29 is moved forward by a roller 36 into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 6 just after grippers 1 and 2 have passed over it. Roller 36 is fastened to an arm 37 and cam 38 both of which are driven by gears 39, 40 and 41 making one revolution for each time that a pair of grippers 1 and 2 pass over the segment.

Cooperating with the segment 29 is a brush 42, Figs. 4, 5 and 6, rotatably mounted on a shaft 43 and swinging freely by means of the arms 44 and 45 from a pair of arms 46 and 47. The arms 46 and 47 are secured to a shaft 48 suitably mounted in bearings, not shown, and are adapted to be raised and lowered by the cam 38 through arms 49 and 50 and roller 51 so that brush 42 will clear the grippers 1 and 2. Arms 49 and 50 are rigidly secured together.

The mechanism for tripping the hook 24 to release thepawl 21 comprises the following elements. A rod 52, Figs. 1 and 7, is hinged to the hook 24 by means of a stud 53. This rod 52 is provided with a toothed projection 54 which is normally held clear of or away from the continuously rotating ratchet wheel 55 by a spring 56 which urges the rod against a stop 57 through the intermediary of a latch 58 which is hinged to the rod 52 and held in a horizontal position by a stop pin 59. The latch 58 has a lip 83 projecting downwardly therefrom which is in the path of a finger 60 secured to the ratchet shaft 30 011 which thesegment 29 is also secured. When the segment 29 is permitted to fall back in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1', the finger 60 will cause tooth 54 to engage a cooperating tooth of the actuating ratchet wheel 55, the movement of which will lift the hook 24 and set the knife drive sprocket wheel in motion.

The ratchet wheels 22 and 55 are assembled together as shown in Fig. 8, the ratchet 2 being provided with internal teeth normally engaged with a gear 61 which is keyed to the driving shaft 17, the two together forming an adjustable coupling or clutch. Ratch- T et 55 is secured to a sleeve 62 on the outer end of which there is provided a flange 63 having clutch teeth 84 similar to the gear 61. The teeth of the flange 63 engage internal teeth of the ring 64 secured in the end of a hand wheel 65. A compression spring 66 is provided between a washer 67, which is secured to the end of the shaft 17, and a collar 68 secured to the sleeve 62. This holds the assembly 22, 55, 62,64 and firmly against the face of the cam 16 and maintains the internal and external teeth of wheel 22 and gear 61 engaged. A compression spring 69 maintains the internal and external teeth of flange 63 and ring 64 in engagement.

The hand wheel 65 is provided with gear teeth 7 O which mesh continuously with a gear wheel 71. The gear ratio of gears 7 O and 71 is such that the gear 71 makes one revolution for each cycle of the grippers, and the gear wheel 71 turns on a pin 72 which is secured in a bracket 73 bolted to a part of the machine frame 74. A pin 75 is secured in the gear wheel 71 and as this pin reaches its top position it will lift the roller 76 which is secured to the hook 24, Fig. 7, by means of a pin 7 7' unless the knife drive is in motion in which case the hook 24 will have been raised and held up by the roller 26 on the cam 16 as described in the foregoing.

The operation of the mechanism is as fol lows:

Tobacco leaves are fed into themachine and caught by their butt ends between grip- .pers 1 and 2, Fig. 4. As these grippers move in the direction of the arrow the cam 38 raises 3 the brush 42 out of their path and then allows it to descend upon the tobacco leaves. 6 In the meantime the segment 29 has been cooked forward by the motion of the roller 36 which then releases it and passes on. The tobacco leaves as they are pulled along over the segment 29 are held down thereon by the brush 42, Fig. 1. The tension or pull of the leaves on the segment 29 maintains it in the forward position sincethis overcomes the pull of the spring 31 until the tips of the leaves have been pulled out from between the brush 42 and the segment 29. The spring 31 then pulls the segment back together with the finger 60, Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrow whereby the finger 60 engages the lip 83 to thus move the latch 58 to the left. This results in the movement of the rod 52 together with the tooth 54 which latter engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel 55 to lift the hook 24 thus releasing the pawl 21. The pawl 21 thus released drops into the nearest tooth of the ratchet 22 and the knife 3 will then start its cutting movement, it being driven by sprocket wheels 15 and 7 and chain 14. The knife creases 0r cuts the stems of the tobacco leaves and where mention is made of weakening or transversely weakening the stem it is to be understood that such weakening includes the cutting or creasing or both of the stems. It is obvious that the timing of the knife is in this manner and by these parts regulated by the length of the leaves being fed into the ma chine. The cut on the stem of the leaf by the knife will always occur at a predetermined distance from the tip end of the leaves and this will determine the amount of stem remaining in the leaf.

According to the present invention provision is made for adjustment so that any deis flange 63 and independent and sired length of stem can be left in the leaf. As shown in Fig. 1 the knife 3 is stopped at the'lowest position A, leaving only sufficient space for the grippers 1 and 2 to pass thereunder. This setting will leave the maximum length of stem in the leaf. By pulling out the hand wheel 8, Figs. 2 and 3, the knife may be set at any desired position such as dotted line positions B or G and suitable dial graduaticns which may be marked on the hand wheel. to indicate inches. -When the hand -wl'1-eel 8 is released the clutch is reengaged in the new position which is chosen for any length of stem desired to bemaintained in the leaf.

A corresponding adjustment is made with the hand wheel 65, Figs. 9,10 and 11, by pulling it out and setting the arrow on the disc 67 to the same reading as that of thedial on hand wheel 8. This corresponding adjustment, is necessary .to place the teeth on the ratchet 22 in proper relation to the new setting of the knife shaft. It can readily be seen that if the proper relative settings are maintained it will be impossible for the knife 3 to cut into the grippers 1 and2 and cause any damage to the machine.

The third adjustment is for setting the wheel 71, Fig. 8, so that its stud 75 will lift the hook. 2d and set the knife in motion at any desired time. This setting is necessary in cases when it is desired to limit the length of stem that will be taken out or when the measuring mechanism is to be disconnected and a definite length of stem taken out regardless of the length'of the leaves. This settin is made by pushing in the hand wheel thus disengaging the coupling parts that V the ring 647 and turning the hand wheel until the desired reading is indicated on the outer scale on the ring" 64 by the arrow on the flange 68, Fig. 9. Releasin g the haml wheel rcengages the clutch. The two settings made by the hand wheel 65 L do not interfere with one another.

In connection with F g. 4 it is pointed out that the cam 38 and roller 36 are in continu ous rotat on during the operation of the machine ar. nnd the shaft 85. This shaft 85 makes one revolution. for each pair of grippers that upon the approach of a pair of i rippers the roller 36 will contact arm 35 to more the segment 29 toward. the left. At appr irimater the same time the cam 38 will contact the roller 51 to lift the brush 42 through arms 44; 45, 46 and 47. shaft 48, and arms .29 and 50, to thereby'lift the brush to permit passage of the grippers. .Immed1- atelv after the passage of the grippers the roller is released and falls on the tobacco leaves to hold them down on the segment 29 during; their passage thereover.

'I claimasmy'invention:

1. In-a tobacco stemming machlne,

a knife the leaves under tension and adaptedto cause driving mechanism; and means for placing actuation of saidmechanism to transversely weaken the stems of the leaves when such tension is relleved.

2. A tobacco stem cutting and creasing machine comprising a knife driving mechanism; and means for placingthe leaves under tension including a device adapted to cause actuation of said mechanism to transversely weaken the stems of the leaves when such tension is relieved.

3. A. tobacco stem cutting and creasing machine comprising a. knife driving mechanism; means for pulling the leaves through the machine; and a device for placing the leaves under tension with said means and adapted to set the knife driving mechanism in motion-to transversely Weaken the stems of the leaves when the device is uninfluenced by the pull on the leaves.

4.1K tobacco stem cutting and creasing machine comprising a knife'driving mechan sm; acontrol device forthe knife driving mechanism; and means for pulling the tobacco leaves through the machine in cooperation with the control device, theten'sion in the pulled leaves acting on the control device to prevent actuation of the knife driving.

mechanism and said device setting the mechan sm in operation when the tension of the leaves is removed to thereby transversely weaken the stems where desired.

5. In a tobacco stemming machine. a knife: a driving mechanism for the knife which normally'maintains the knife in a stationary or non-cutting position: and a device controlled by the tens on of the tobacco leaves for setting the driving mechanism for the knife in operation when the leaves pass beyond the device.

'6. In a tobacco stemming'machine. a knife: a driving mechanism for the knife which normally maintains the knife in a stationary or non-cutting position: and a. control'd'evice for the mechanism which ismaintained in an arrested position by the tension of the tobacco leaves and which is adapted to set the knife in motion by the driving mechanism when the leaves pass beyond the control device. a

7. In a tobacco stemming machinea knife for transversely weakening the stems of tobacco leaves; a driving mechanism for intermittently operating the knife; a device cooperating with the tobacco leaves and mitte'ntly operating the knife; a device cooperating with the passing tobacco leaves and adapted to setthe driving mechanism in operation when the leaves pass beyond the device; and a rotatably-mounted member which is adapted to press the leaves against the device during their passage to insure contact of the leaveswith the device.

9. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife for transversely weakening the stems of tobacco leaves; a driving mechanism for intermittently operating the knife; a movable member cooperating with the tobacco leaves and adapted to set the driving mechanism in operation when the leaves pass beyond said member; and means for pressing the leaves against said member during their passage to increase the contact of the leaves thereon.

.10. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife for transversely weakeningthe stems of tobacco leaves; a driving mechanism for the knife for intermittently operating the knife; an oscillating-'member cooperating with the tobacco leaves ZLIlClfililZlPtGCl: to set the driving the stems of tobacco'leaves comprising a plurality of'cooperating grippers for gripping he butt ends of the leaves 'to be pulled. through the machine; aknife for transversely weakening the stems; a knife driving mechanism for intermittently i driving the knife; a device adapted to cooperate with the leaves to set the driving mechanism in operation when the leaves pass beyond the device; and means for pressing the leaves against the device to increase the contact of the leaves therewith.

12. .A machine for transversely weakening the stems of tobacco leaves comprising a plurality of cooperating grippers for gripping the butt ends of. the leaves -to be pulled through the machine; a knife for transverse ly weakening the stems; a knife driving mechanism .for intermittently driving the knife; a device adapted to cooperate with the leaves to set the driving mechanism. in opera r tion when the leaves pass beyond the device;

means for'pressing the leaves against the dev ce to increase thecontact of the leaves therewith; and means forraising the lastnamed means to permit the passage of the grippers.

13. A machine for transversely weakening the stems of tobacco leaves comprising a plurality of cooperating grippers for gripp ng the butt ends of the leaves to be pulled through the machine; a knife for transverse- 1y weakening the stems a knife driving mechsegment within range of the leaves immediately after thepassage of the grippers.

14-. A machine for transversely weakening the stems of tobacco leaves comprising a plurality of cooperating grippers for gripping the butt ends of the leaves to be pulled through the machine; a knife for transversely weakening the stems; a knife driving mechanism for intermittently driving the knife; an oscillating member adapted to cooperate with the leaves to set the driving mechanism inoperation when the leaves pass beyond the said member to thereby permit the knife to transversely weaken the stemof the leaf, said member being normally held out of range of the grippers; a brush for pressing the leaves against the device to increase the contact of the leaves therewith; and means for raising the brush to permit the passage of the grippers and to place the member within range ofthe leaves immediately after the passage of the grippers.

15. A machine for transversely weakening 7.-

the stems of tobacco leaves comprising a plurality of cooperating grippers for gripping the butt ends of the leaves to be pulled through the machine; a knife for transversely weakening the stems; a knife driving mechanism for intermittently driving the knife; a pivotally-mounted segment adapted to cooperate with the leaves to set the driving mechanism in operation when the leaves pass beyond the segment to thereby permit the knife to transversely weaken the stem of the leaf, said segment being normallyheld out of range of the grippers; a brush for pressing the leaves against the device to increase the contact of the leaves therewith; and means for raising the brush to permit the passage of the grippers and to place the segment within range of the leaves immediately after the passage of the grippers, said segment being held in contact with the leaves due to the tensi'onthereof and the backward swing immediately after passage of the ends of the leaves actuating the knife driving mechanism.

16. A machine for transversely weakening the stems of tobacco leaves comprising a plurality of cooperating grippers for gripping the butt ends of the leaves to be pulled through the machine; a knife for transversely weakemng the stems; a knife driving mech an1sm for intermittently driving the knife;

pivotall -mounted segment adapted to cooperate with the leaves to set the driving mechanism in operation when the leaves pass beyond the segment to thereby permit the knife to transversely weaken the stem of the leaf; a spring for normally holding the segment out of range of the grippers; a brush for pressing the leaves against the segment to increase the contact of the leaves therewith; and means for raising the brush to permit the passage of the grippers and to place the segment within range of the leaves immediately after the passage of the grippers.

17. A machine for transverselyweakening the stems of tobacco leaves comprising a plu- CLAIBORNE W. GOOGH, JR.

rality of coopearting grippers for grippmg the butt ends of the leaves to be pulled through the machine; a knife for transversely I weakening the stems; a knife driving mechanism for intermittently driving the knife; a pivotally-mounted segment adapted to cooperate with the leaves to set the driving mechanism in operation when the leaves pass beyond the segment to thereby permit the knife to transversely weaken the stem of the leaf; a spring for normally holding the segment out of range of the grippers; a brush. for pressing the leaves against the segment to increase the contact of the leaves therewith; means for raising the brush to permit the passage of the grippers and to place the segment within range of the leaves immediately after the passage of the grippers; and means for adjusting the knife and the driving mechanism toadjust the distance of the weakened portion in the stem from the tip end of the leaf. 18. A machine for creasing and cutting the stems of tobacco leaves comprising a plurality of cooperating grippers for gripping the butt ends of the leaves to be pulled through the machine; a knife for creasing or cutting the stems; a knife driving mech anism for intermittently driving the knife; a pivotally-mounted segment adapted to cooperate with the leaves to set the driving mechanism in operation when the leaves pass beyond the segment to thereby permit the knife to transversely weaken the stem of the leaf; a spring for normally holding the segment out of range of the grippers; a brush for pressing the. leaves on the segment to increase the contact of the leaves thereon; means for raising the brush to permit the passage of the grippers and to place the seg ment within range of-the leaves immediately after the passage of the grippers; and means for separately adjusting the knife and the driving mechanism to adjust the distance of the weakened portion in the stem from the tip end of the leaf.

19. In a tobacco stemming machine, means for weakening the stems of the leaves; and

means for placing the leaves under tension 

